Hi Everyone,
Week look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, May 2. In the meantime, please dive into these primary source materials to help us understand some key issues in the Qing dynasty. This Manchu-governed dynasty lasted from 1644 to 1911, but our course concludes at 1800. So the Qing we're looking at is "high" Qing, meaning it was the largest and most advanced empire of its day (though by 1800, Britain was adding India to its empire, having just lost the thirteen American colonies). Still, by 1800, the problems the Qing would face were increasingly evident.

One of those problems was an assertive West. In addition to the pdfs below, please read this letter from the Qianlong emperor to King George III of the United Kingdom: https://china.usc.edu/emperor-qianlong-letter-george-iii-1793.

The placards and proclamations remind me very much of the legalist school of thought. I was particularly struck by the line "when a good person mistakenly violates the law, he is going to be punished." It reminds me of your question two sessions back about how representatives of each school of thought would deal with their own parents breaking an important law. It seems no one can escape punishment. His proclamation on the dismissal of excessive local staff further illustrates his belief that people are motivated by fear and greed so enforcement of laws must be consistent and punishment must be severe. It reminds me of some of the rhetoric used by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines when talking about how he will deal with the drug crisis in the country.

There are many benefits to being open as a country. If you are open to foreigners, they can introduce advancements in technology and science, bring new, desirable trade goods to the country, and bring fresh ideas that might help to solve issues inherent within the country. The risks of being open are that you risk losing part or even all of your identity. I once hear a nation defined as: borders, language, and culture. If too many foreign ideas are brought in and assimilated, then your culture, politics, ideology, and possibly language could be changed, and then a nation is no longer how it used to define itself. Some would welcome that in the name of progress, some might value their roots and traditions more.

The proclamations and placards instantly reminded me of the legalists. There are laws to abide by and if you break those laws or rules, you will be punished accordingly, no matter who you are. This reminded me of the discussion we had based on the schools of thought. If your family broke a rule, how would you react?  I love how the proclamation begins, "To all civil and military officials: I have told you to refrain from evil". He expresses that many people who are accused of commiting crimes are often trying to bribe their way out of it, and he goes back to what he has said all along... " I warned you not to do it". I agree with his sentiment that rules are meant to be followed to keep all citizens safe, especially when you are told about them. If you don't follow these rules there should be harsh consequences so that the citizens know there are repercussions for your actions. 

It seems, in his letter to King George III, that Emperor Qianlong was aware of both the positive effects and negative consequences of opening up China to other countries. He is rightfully concerned about the requests made by King George to add an envoy to his court and that it should not provide King George with an advantage. I did find it quite diplomatic that he gave King George an out by possibly laying blame for these "unreasonable requests" on the envoy. Emperor Qianlong is open to trade, as he repeatedly reminds King George of his generosity with different foreign countries, but does not want to be tricked and taken advantage of despite the opportunity open trade provides. He also raises concerns about land encroachment and the imposition of European religious idealogies, all justifiable concerns.

When reading the Proclamations of the Hongwu Emperor and the placards I also thought of the legalists. Like the legalists, the emperor wanted the laws and rules to be followed by everyone, no matter their position. His proclamation made it clear that there are immediate and harsh consequences (including death) for those who break the rules or lie. He says there are no exceptions. However, he brings up a time that he conquered the city of Wuchang and took over the city as well as Chen's concubine. He questioned if that was wrong to take a woman improperly and so he gave up women and music and valuable objects. He wanted his people to see that if he can do away with tempting things, they should be able to also! He warns them to "be cautious!" On the other hand, placard #7 at least states they will inquire the facts first before they make judgment. Overall, the values of obedience and keeping people in line are what I see coming out of both this document and the placards. 

When asked to identify the values of the proclamations of the Hongwu Emperor, I would definitely say it is "honor" and "integrity". I would choose these two values because after reading and hearing about the justice system they had in place, they appear to have the "innocent until proven guilty" mentatlity. When someone commited a serious crime, they were not immediately punished or reprimanded. Instead, an inquiry took place and even an interrogation could not take place without proper authority.